1,200 parking workers strike in Chicagoland after rejecting 27% wage offer

Nearly 1,200 union parking workers began a strike in the Chicago area on Tuesday morning.

Members of Teamsters Local 727 launched the walkout after voting down a contract offer from the Chicago Parking Association. The association represents 15 commercial parking operators. The union stated that the vote rejected a proposal that it believed failed to address long-standing workplace concerns.

The strike affects several major commercial locations across the region. Operators impacted by the walkout manage parking facilities at O'Hare and Midway airports, as well as at Northwestern and Rush universities. Other affected sites include downtown garages, office lots, and valet services for hotels and restaurants. Specific companies involved include ABM, LAZ Parking, SP Plus, and Secure Parking.

The Chicago Parking Association described its rejected proposal as one of the most generous compensation packages in the national parking industry. The offer included a 27 percent increase to wages and benefits over a five-year agreement. Under the plan, workers would have received a wage increase of more than 7 percent in the first year alone. The association also stated that the current package includes fully employer-paid health insurance, pensions, and paid time off.

Teamsters Local 727 accused the association of bad-faith bargaining and unlawful surveillance. The union claimed employers used delay tactics and made unilateral changes to workplace conditions. A spokesperson for the union said the members are united and ready to stay in the fight for as long as it takes. The union represents approximately 10,000 workers across the region.

The association said it remains committed to negotiating in good faith. A representative stated the goal is to reach a fair agreement that benefits all parties while avoiding unnecessary disruptions for commuters. The union and the association have not specified when negotiations will resume or if a second contract offer will be presented.

The strike began Tuesday morning, November 3, 2026. The walkout involves parking attendants and valet staff at the 15 companies represented by the Chicago Parking Association. The union did not specify the exact number of workers at each individual site, but confirmed that nearly 1,200 employees participated in the initial phase of the action.